Proudly representing the 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk district!

State Senator Karen Spilka joined other Massachusetts leaders at yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new headquarters of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc at Fan Pier on the South Boston Waterfront.

Vertex will relocate its 1,300 current employees and expect to hire an additional 500 employees to work out of the new headquarters.

The biotech giant signed a $1.1 billion, 15 year lease last month after receiving FDA approval for their potentially blockbuster drug to treat Hepatitis C, Incivek. In the largest commercial lease in the city’s history, Vertex will rent over a million square feet of office and laboratory space in two buildings at the site – paying an average of $72.5 million annually.

Today marked the beginning of construction of the new headquarters. Developers expect to hire around 1,200 construction workers for this project.

“Massachusetts is already seen as a leader in health care technology, life sciences and research and in order to keep our economy moving forward, investment in cutting-edge fields such as the biotech industry is crucial,” said Spilka, who serves as the Senate Chair to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Vertex will work not only to promote our state as a leader in the industry, its relocation will also be a great boost to the economy through job creation and additional revenue.”

Governor Deval Patrick and Vertex CEO Matthew Emmens were among those who addressed the crowd. Emmens discussed his company’s dedication to curing diseases, not just treating them, as well as their dedication to the community at large.

“As the Senate Chair of the BioTech Legislative Caucus, I believe Vertex is a great investment for the Commonwealth not only because of their innovative work but also because they value the importance of supporting the community through investment in science and math education for children and their active collaboration with local organizations,” stated Spilka.